Discrete logarithms inGF(p)

Several related algorithms are presented for computing logarithms in fieldsGF(p),p a prime. Heuristic arguments predict a running time of exp((1+o(1)) ) for the initial precomputation phase that is needed for eachp, and much shorter running times for computing individual logarithms once the precomputation is done. The running time of the precomputation is roughly the same as that of the fastest known algorithms for factoring integers of size aboutp. The algorithms use the well known basic scheme of obtaining linear equations for logarithms of small primes and then solving them to obtain a database to be used for the computation of individual logarithms. The novel ingredients are new ways of obtaining linear equations and new methods of solving these linear equations by adaptations of sparse matrix methods from numerical analysis to the case of finite rings. While some of the new logarithm algorithms are adaptations of known integer factorization algorithms, others are new and can be adapted to yield integer factorization algorithms.     

Differential Action of Connexin Hemichannel and Pannexin Channel Therapeutics for Potential Treatment of Retinal Diseases

Dysregulation of retinal function in the early stages of light-induced retinal degeneration involves pannexins and connexins. These two types of proteins may contribute to channels that release ATP, leading to activation of the inflammasome pathway, spread of inflammation and retinal dysfunction. However, the effect of pannexin channel block alone or block of both pannexin channels and connexin hemichannels in parallel on retinal activity in vivo is unknown. In this study, the pannexin channel blocker probenecid and the connexin hemichannel blocker tonabersat were used in the light-damaged rat retina. Retinal function was evaluated using electroretinography (ERG), retinal structure was analyzed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and the tissue response to light-induced injury was assessed immunohistochemically with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) and Connexin43 (Cx43). Probenecid did not further enhance the therapeutic effect of connexin hemichannel block in this model, but on its own improved activity of certain inner retina neurons. The therapeutic benefit of blocking connexin hemichannels was further evaluated by comparing these data against results from our previously published studies that also used the light-damaged rat retina model. The analysis showed that treatment with tonabersat alone was better than probenecid alone at restoring retinal function in the light-damaged retina model. The results assist in the interpretation of the differential action of connexin hemichannel and pannexin channel therapeutics for potential treatment of retinal diseases.     

Collagen I Modifies Connexin-43 Hemichannel Activity via Integrin α2β1 Binding in TGFβ1-Evoked Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with sustained inflammation and progressive fibrosis, changes that have been linked to altered connexin hemichannel-mediated release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Kidney fibrosis develops in response to increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), and up-regulation of collagen I is an early marker of renal disease. With ECM remodeling known to promote a loss of epithelial stability, in the current study we used a clonal human kidney (HK2) model of proximal tubular epithelial cells to determine if collagen I modulates changes in cell function, via connexin-43 (Cx43) hemichannel ATP release. HK2 cells were cultured on collagen I and treated with the beta 1 isoform of the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGFβ1) ± the Cx43 mimetic Peptide 5 and/or an anti-integrin α2β1 neutralizing antibody. Phase microscopy and immunocytochemistry observed changes in cell morphology and cytoskeletal reorganization, whilst immunoblotting and ELISA identified changes in protein expression and secretion. Carboxyfluorescein dye uptake and biosensing measured hemichannel activity and ATP release. A Cytoselect extracellular matrix adhesion assay assessed changes in cell-substrate interactions. Collagen I and TGFβ1 synergistically evoked increased hemichannel activity and ATP release. This was paralleled by changes to markers of tubular injury, partly mediated by integrin α2β1/integrin-like kinase signaling. The co-incubation of the hemichannel blocker Peptide 5, reduced collagen I/TGFβ1 induced alterations and inhibited a positive feedforward loop between Cx43/ATP release/collagen I. This study highlights a role for collagen I in regulating connexin-mediated hemichannel activity through integrin α2β1 signaling, ahead of establishing Peptide 5 as a potential intervention.     

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Brain Function and Neurological Disorders

As life expectancy has increased, particularly in developed countries, due to medical advances and increased prosperity, age-related neurological diseases and mental health disorders have become more prevalent health issues, reducing the well-being and quality of life of sufferers and their families. In recent decades, due to reduced work-related levels of physical activity, and key research insights, prescribing adequate exercise has become an innovative strategy to prevent or delay the onset of these pathologies and has been demonstrated to have therapeutic benefits when used as a sole or combination treatment. Recent evidence suggests that the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain are related to several underlying mechanisms related to muscle–brain, liver–brain and gut–brain crosstalk. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the most relevant current knowledge of the impact of exercise on mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, and to highlight the established and potential underlying mechanisms involved in exercise–brain communication and their benefits for physiology and brain function.     

Electron Microscopy Imaging Applications of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids in the Biological Field: A Review

For biological imaging using electron microscopy (EM), the use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional lengthy preparation methods. With their low vapor pressures and conductivity, RTILs can be applied onto hard-to-image soft and/or wet samples without dehydration – allowing for a more representative, hydrated state of material and opening the possibility for visualization of in situ physiological processes using conventional EM systems. However, RTILs have yet to be utilized to their full potential by microscopists and microbiologists alike. To this end, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of biological applications of RTILs for EM to bridge the RTIL, in situ microscopy, and biological communities. We outline future research avenues for the use of RTILs for the EM observation of biological samples, notably i) RTIL selection and optimization, ii) applications for live cell processes and iii) electron beam and ionic liquid interaction studies.     

Detection of water ingress in composite sandwich structures: a magnetic resonance approach

Water ingress inside honeycomb sandwich panels during service has been linked to in-flight failure in some aircraft. There is an ongoing effort to develop nondestructive testing methods to detect the presence of water within the panels. Magnetic resonance (MR) represents an attractive approach in that it is sensitive to moisture. Using a unilateral MR sensor, testing can be applied directly to the surface of the panel. The viability of MR is demonstrated through laboratory imaging of both water within sandwich panels, as well as the adhesive itself. The detection of water using a one-sided handheld MR sensor is presented. It is shown that simple detection, as well as spatial localization of water within sandwich panels is possible.     

Some aspects of the role of coal thermoplasticity and coke structure in coal gasification. 2. The effects of pressure and heating rate on dilatometric parameters and optical anisotropy development

An examination of the influence of pressure and heating rate on the thermoplastic properties of a weakly coking coal and of coal with various pitch-like additives was carried out using a high pressure dilatometer. Pressure up to 4 MPa markedly increased the swelling properties and increased the plastic range by decreasing the softening temperature, but the effects of pressure were strongly influenced by rate of heating with high heating rates enhancing the effects. Additions of tar or pitch also enhanced swelling at low pressure. The solid carbonization residues from the dilatometer were examined by polarized light microscopy to determine the content and composition of optically anisotropic species. The anisotropic content was increased by increases in pressure and heating rate and pitch additives enhanced the anisotropic content, especially at low pressure, without affecting the composition of the anisotropy. No direct correlations exist between the dilatometric parameters and the optical anisotropy but their dependence on the conditions emphasizes that when considering high pressure gasification of coal, it is necessary to obtain data under appropriate conditions.     

Analysis and tuning of adaptive generalized predictive control

The adaptive Generalized Predictive Controller (Clarke et al., 1987a, b) is capable of controlling plants with variable dead-time, unknown model orders and unstable poles and zeros. This paper shows how the GPC control law can be written in an equivalent general linear transfer function form which simplifies closed-loop (eg. root locus) analysis. Three recommended strategies for selecting the design parameters during the commissioning stage allow the user to adjust the closed-loop speed of response on-line using only a single active tuning parameter. Experimental runs confirm the ability of adaptive GPC to provide a consistent closed-loop response in spite of large process changes.     

Pheromonal secretions from glands on the 5th abdominal sternite of hydropsychid and rhyacophilid caddisflies (Trichoptera)

Extracts of different body parts of adult Trichoptera were tested for electrophysiological activity. Extracts of the IVth and Vth abdominal sternites of femaleHydropsyche angustipennis, Rhyacophila nubila, andR. fasciata, containing a paired exocrine gland, elicited significant electroan-tennographic responses when tested on conspecific male antennae. The paired gland occurs also in males of all the species, and inH. angustipennis, extracts from males were more active than female extracts when tested on male antennae. Female and male extracts from all species were analyzed by gas chromatography with simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic detection (EAD). EAD-active peaks in female extracts, stimulating male antennae, were identified inH. angustipennis as nonan-2-one; and inR. nubila andR. fasciata as heptan-2-one, heptan-2-ol, nonan-2-one, and nonan-2-ol. EAD-active components from maleH. angustipennis stimulating male antennae were octan-2-one, nonan-2-one (major peak), (Z)-6-nonen-2-one, decan-2-one, and a methylbranched decan-2-one. Female extracts and synthetic mixtures of compounds identified from femaleH. angustipennis andR. fasciata were tested for attractivity in the field. High catches with control traps obscured the results, but a synthetic mixture of the four identified compounds was significantly attractive and not different from female extracts for attracting maleR. fasciata. InH. angustipennis, a synthetic six-component male blend, in which nonan-2-one was the major component, attracted significant numbers of male and femaleH. angustipennis. Extracts of maleR. nubila andR. fasciata contained acetophenone and hexanoic and octanoic acids but did not have any electrophysiological or behavioral activity on either male or female antennae of conspecifics. The occurrence of a female sex pheromone inRhyacophila and an aggregation pheromone inHydropsyche corresponds to earlier described differences in mating behaviors in the Rhyacophilidae and Hydropsychidae.